Tax deadline nears

Published: Friday, April 12, 2013 at 12:51 AM.

The best advice tax preparers have to offer those who have yet to file their tax returns is to be prepared.

Taxpayers have until Monday, April 15 to file their 2012 tax returns.

Debby Mallette, who has owned and operated Advantage Tax and Accounting in Jacksonville with her husband, Charles, for 25 years, encourages taxpayers to come in ready with W-2s and other important documents such as 1099s, mortgage interest statements and real estate information.

“When you come in it’s a process and it takes time,” Mallette said. “Part of the process is having the documents and information that are needed. The more preparation that is done, the more it helps us to help them.”

While Advantage doesn’t do tax returns on the spot, Mallette said they will be open until 2 p.m. on tax deadline day to help as many last-minute filers as possible.

Those who need more time to get information together can come in and file for an extension. It’s not always procrastination that causes the tax deadline to creep up on people. Sometimes life events such as medical emergencies or deaths in a family can put gathering tax information on the back burner.

An extension gives taxpayers an additional six months to file their returns.

The best advice tax preparers have to offer those who have yet to file their tax returns is to be prepared.

Taxpayers have until Monday, April 15 to file their 2012 tax returns.

Debby Mallette, who has owned and operated Advantage Tax and Accounting in Jacksonville with her husband, Charles, for 25 years, encourages taxpayers to come in ready with W-2s and other important documents such as 1099s, mortgage interest statements and real estate information.

“When you come in it’s a process and it takes time,” Mallette said. “Part of the process is having the documents and information that are needed. The more preparation that is done, the more it helps us to help them.”

While Advantage doesn’t do tax returns on the spot, Mallette said they will be open until 2 p.m. on tax deadline day to help as many last-minute filers as possible.

Those who need more time to get information together can come in and file for an extension. It’s not always procrastination that causes the tax deadline to creep up on people. Sometimes life events such as medical emergencies or deaths in a family can put gathering tax information on the back burner.

An extension gives taxpayers an additional six months to file their returns.

However, tax experts note, those who may owe money still have to pay on time.

“An extension means an extension of time to do the paperwork, not an extension to pay,” she said.

If you do owe money but you can’t pay the full amount, the IRS recommends filing on time and paying as much as you can. According to IRS information, this will minimize penalties and interest charges. Installment agreements for payment can also be requested.

While tax season typically sees an early rush of taxpayers anticipating a return, there are always those who tend to wait.

Linda Berry-Bates turned in information at the Liberty Tax Service office in Swansboro on Monday to begin processing her return. She partly waited to do it on a day off from work, but she said she also tends to wait until the end of the tax season to file.

“I never know if I’m going to pay or get some back but I thought I better bite the bullet and get it done,” she said.

Myranda Stafford, a tax preparer at the Liberty office in Swansboro, said they saw a rush when the tax season opened and are seeing an increase of customers as the deadline nears. But she doesn’t see it as procrastination.

“I think a lot of it is time just goes by so fast,” she said.

This season has been a bit different, said Allison Tutherow, general manager for Jackson Hewitt offices in Jacksonville.

The IRS tax season was delayed to update forms and systems to reflect to reflect the American Taxpayer Relief Act (ATRA) that Congress enacted on Jan. 2

“I think a lot of customers waited to file,” she said.

If you still have to file, she recommends coming in sooner rather than later. If additional documents are needed, it will be easier for people to go back and get what they need.

And it helps ensure accuracy and that no deductions are overlooked.

“If you’ve got a few minutes, bring in the forms and drop them off or you can wait while we do them,” she said.

Mallette said taxpayers want to be sure their taxes are done accurately and that they pay their fair share — but not too much.

“Because of the economy and finances, I think people are more conscientious of their taxes and want to use their money in the best possible way,” she said.